Mercury 50 hp not rev. up

[electra]

I have a 50hp Mercury ( 1980 ? new sparks - ) with a fast idle and, when reving up will not go in high revs. It goes up and down rapidely in middle rvs. It seems to try to accelarate and then goes down all this quickly.
Also, I cannot get it in reverse - The gears grind loudly.
Thank you for your help

 

[Laddies]

Re: Mercury 50 hp not rev. up

Adjust the shift cable at the engine. Not running up to RPM could be dirty carbs or the high speed stator winding, first try runnig it up to speed with the cowl off, someone pumping the hose bulb to see if the fuel pump is working properly, if that don't help try ot manual close the chokes to see if it will pickup RPM. If none of this helps it's probably the stator test it with a DVA or OHM meter